Range of Thatched Cottages, Seaton, Devon

 

 

I took a few photos of these cottages when thatchers were working on the roof, then included them in an article about traditional thatching in Devon, which I'll link here. As promised, I finally took more photos recently and can now write a separate post with all the photos and more information about these lovely cottages.

A range of three attached cottages, the building is a Grade II Listed building circa 18th century, consisting of two private residences and a Victorian shop front. They are listed as 'Premises of Neils and Nos 27 and 31'. However, I'm not sure that's right as the shop is No 27, therefore the other two should be 29 and 31. 

I've been meaning to go and check that out but I haven't been able to due to storms and flooding, including a small lake across the path and lawns in front of my block of flats! We just need a few ducks and we'll have a traditional village green with pond. ;)

It's a two-storey range - some of which was altered in the 19th century - with thatching along the whole roof. The central dwelling, seen above, has a splayed bay with ground and first floor windows and a gable, also thatched. The green moss makes it look like a velvet throw over the roof; just the thing to keep warm in winter. ;)

Neils was a greengrocers, which had a great selection of fruit and vegetables, plus jars of jams & preserves and several varieties of bagged nuts and dried fruits. That was when the town was heaving with independent shops and there were four greengrocers, one of which also sold fresh fish. This one's now a hairdressers, appropriately called Salon 27.

 

The photos above were taken when Neils had the shop and the name was on the canopy. Interestingly, the building to the right of it - a ladies & children's clothing and haberdashery called Canns - later on became the library, which itself has recently been moved to another building.

The far left dwelling can be seen across the road above, also a black & white photo, this one taken from Beer Road opposite. And again below, taken from the side.

The terrace is partially attached to the next building along. This creates a small courtyard in front of the shop on the left. And below, some close-ups of the side, where the thatch looks just like a fur collar!

 

Thatch lasts for some considerable time before needing to be replaced, from 30 to 60 years, with regular patching and replacing of the ridge sometime between three and six years. It's the ridge on top of the roof that the thatchers are working on in the photos below.

Traditionally a plain thatch is used in Devon, which fits in well with the style of buildings. The local tradition of Combed Straw thatching (also known as Wheat Reed and Devon Reed) is thought to be unique to the South West, going back at least 600 years and using straw from local wheat. Most thatched buildings are Listed Buildings due to their historical and architectural importance.

Devon is well known for its thatched roofs and, although there are thatched roofs in other parts of England and other countries, Devon has retained the most historic thatch worldwide consisting of around 4,000 examples.

The oldest preserved thatch in Devon is pre-1550 and still has blackened thatch from a time before chimneys were in use. At least 180 examples of these are still in existance and are specifically interesting for studying historical thatching techniques.

This is just one particular style of building with its retained thatched roof, with many others as well as the more traditional, iconic Devon cottages. A large selection can be seen in the Traditional Roof Thatching in Devon article which can be accessed via the link in the first paragraph. 

And one final, slightly different angle of the end buildings to finish off with.

It was so nice to get out and take these photos. There'll be more coming up from this area later on in a couple of posts, plus a few more photos I need to take. However, I'm going to make Part Two of Fore Street in Beer my next priority before adding more from Seaton. 

I've also got a stack of street and building photos taken in Exeter some 35 years ago to sort through. I'm hoping to add some of those in a few articles, which I'm looking forward to doing. I really wish I could get back there as there's still so much of interest to take photos of. 

Meanwhile, it actually stopped raining for a couple of days and there are lovely tiny tete-a-tete daffodils and grape hyacinths flowering in my balcony planters, which feels like Spring is actually on its way.

Cheers everyone! :)

 

Weather Lore: Part Three

 

Part Three brings us up to June and almost midway through the year. June, from the Latin word Iuniores, was the month dedicated to youth by the Ancient Romans.

 

Often called 'Flaming June', it is a time of fresh and bright colours, the hedgerows filled with new growth and the delights of honeysuckle, wild roses, foxgloves, pink campion and also verges full of the white umbellical flowers (wild parsley, hogweed, etc), wild garlic, the pretty lady's smock and the lovely starry greater stitchwort, along with butterflies and birdsong.

This is the time of long, light evenings in Britain, culminating in the shortest night of the year - the Summer Solstice on the 21st - after a long gradual dusk. It doesn't get completely dark until around 10-45pm here in the South-West, provided the sky is clear of clouds, and is a fair bit later the more north you go up to the Hebrides.

These two photos above and below were taken sometime between 9 and 9-30 on the evening of the Summer Solstice in 2009.

In Britain we often regard the solstice as being the beginning of summer rather than midsummer. We do get hot summers but they don't always last beyond two or three weeks at best!

It is often celebrated with bonfires, festivals and special events in some parts of Britain, particularly in Scotland. Here in England, a well known gathering place is at Stonehenge and other places of prehistorical significance.

In Anglo-Saxon, the terms for July were Heg-monath, meaning Hay Month, or Maed-monath, which means Mead Month. Up until recent decades hay fields were cut to produce lovely sweet smelling hay full of nutritious flowers and grass to make winter feed for livestock. This was usually done in June or July.

Plenty of honey was also produced, not only for sweetness but also for making mead, an alcoholic beverage containg honey fermented with water and yeast, sometimes served as a mulled mead heated with added spices for festival occasions.

St Swithun's Day falls on the 15th of July and is another rhyme that was used to fortell the coming weather.

"St Swithun's day if thou dost rain
For forty days it will remain,
St Swithun's day if thou be fair
For forty days 'twill rain no more." 

Having seen some Cumulonimbus clouds in Part Two, some more cloud formations include the Mackerel sky, seen below...

 

 A mackerel sky saying is as follows:

"Mackerel sky and mare's tails make tall ships carry low sails."

"Mackerel sky is associated with altocumulus clouds while 'mare's tails' refer to cirrus clouds. Both could develop before the instance of a storm, which would lead to the lowering of the ship's sails." The Met Office.

...plus this amazing billow cloud seen in the next photo.

One of the rarest cloud formations is called the Kelvin-Helmholtz cloud. Named after two meteorologists, Hermann von Helmholtz and William Thomson Kelvin who studied turbulent airflow, it's a billowing wave pattern caught between two air streams.

I was extremely fortunate to be walking along the sea front when I saw this phenomenon. Looking like a pie crust, I called my photo 'Pie in the Sky'. The photo above was the edge of it on the right and the fuller cloud can be seen below.

A few more rain prophecies that I remember being said when I was a girl are as follows:

"When cows lie down in the field it's a sign of coming rain." 

Apparently there's no scientific reason for it. It was a fairly unusual occurrance to see all the cows lie down however, and often facing the same direction so that it did seem significant.

"Rain before seven, fine by eleven." 

Which can be true, as rain systems coming across Britain rarely last more than four hours. Mind, I've known it to rain all day sometimes, but perhaps there are slight breaks between them which sometimes go unnoticed.

Right, I'm going to leave it there for now as there's still a fair amount to get through so I'm going to do another part. I didn't intend to do four parts but that's how it's working out...so far! Hopefully I can manage without having to do five or more. :)

I don't know what's coming up next. I'm still working on Fore Street in Beer but I've also received my latest photos back from the printers and scanned them. I'm still post editing but I might write up one of those before I finish another long one.

Cheers for now! :)  

 

Various Buildings, Axminster, Devon.

 

I recently came across some of these photos from my stash and decided to do something about them. I didn't know it at the time but my then camera was leaking light slightly, hence the pale mauve stripe across some of them and why I haven't used them before, but I reckon they might do until or unless I can take some new ones.

On the right side is the old carpet factory where Axminster carpets were made. On the left side is a building that isn't on the Listed Buildings register so I wasn't able to discover anything about it. It does have an intriguing medallion on the top of the gable end, but I can't tell what's on it just from the photo. 

However, I had a look at the other side on Streetview and it's a rather charming cottage of two storeys - the first floor containing two modern dormer windows in the roof and on the ground floor is a left hand door with a slate portico and a round window to the right. There's also a small garden inside a wall and fence.

In the listed register the old carpet factory is referenced as The Thomas Whitty House & Conservative Club building. Thomas Whitty was the owner of the carpet factory - Axminster Carpets that are famous across the world. It's now the Axminster Heritage Centre, which I haven't managed to visit yet, and these photos were taken before they inhabited it.

A Grade II Listed Building, it was built circa 18th century. The carpet factory was established in 1755, closing in 1835, then manufacturing began again in 1937 in another larger factory and still making carpets to this day.

The right hand doorway was specifically a carriageway for carts and carriages, seen above. That and the single doorway to the left are said to retain original
flush panel doors. That was in the listing but may have changed since then as the first listing date was in August 1950, then subsequently altered in August 1983.

The building curves around at the end and, interestingly, joins onto the  old Registry Office building, seen below. The end part of the building still houses the Conservative Club.

Although it's also seen in the Odds & Ends Part Four article, it's worth including the Registry Office here as part of the townscape so that I can add more information and hopefully add more photos at a later date if I manage to get to Axminster again.

A Grade II listed building, it was built circa 1850-60 in a lovely Early English Gothic style, with a lancet tripartite window on the first floor and single lancet windows flanking the central door on the ground floor. The windows contain leaded panes. I think they are just plain glass but the way they catch the light makes them look subtly colourful and very attractive.

A narrow building, it sits between the curved end of the Thomas Whitty House and a gorgeous Georgian/Regency building on the left. I don't know why but that one isn't a listed building. I had a look on streetview and  it consists of two forward bays, each with pointed gables and narrow pretty bargeboards. In the central position there is what looks to be an original lead drainpipe with decorated strapwork. The edge of it can be seen in the photo below, with its fabulous first floor window.

Now belonging to Milford & Dormer - a bunch of solicitors* - it'll be well worth a visit to see and photograph.

*A reference to the film Lara Croft when her technical friend picks up a letter addressed to her, reads who it's from, and says 'it sounds like a bunch of solicitors', to which Lara Croft replies 'It is a bunch of solicitors', lol.

In the centre of Axminster is Trinity Square, where this rather fine drinking fountain is situated. Called the Jubilee Fountain, it was erected to celebrate the 1887 Jubilee of Queen Victoria. 

I recently read a blog on the Historic England website about Temperance buildings and apparently, as well as coffee houses and places to meet without alcohol, the movement also attracted benefactors, including Charles P Melly who instigated the use of drinking fountains for Liverpuddlian dock workers. This encouraged them not to slake their thirst at the local pub. Other donors of drinking fountains followed suit in towns across the country.

Consisting of three stages, firstly the base, then the middle stage with four-centre arch niches and colonettes at the corners. The top stage contains panels with cusped heads and an ogee shaped cap topped with wrought iron lamps.

Below can be seen the plaque between the colonettes on one side. 

The middle stage is where the fountain is (no longer in use now). On two sides are these fantastic stone heads above the fountain basins. 

I love this face. It reminds me of the Bocca della Verita - the mouth of truth statue in Rome which, according to a mediaeval legend, will bite off the hand of any liar who places their hand in its mouth- although it's not quite so sinister looking or as dangerous to liars!

And finally, I'm adding this small building next to the railway crossing. Another one from the Odds & Ends Part Four article and, like the Registry Office, it's also one I can add photos to if I make it to Axminster again.

The crossing point, called Axminster Gates, used to have a signal box, which eventually fell out of use and was demolished. Instead the railway erected this little building called a crossing box, where two crossing keepers worked the gates to allow road traffic through. That one is no longer needed either, as signals and gates are now remote controlled, so it would be interesting to see if it's a privately owned house or if it has any other function now.    

That's it for now. I'm going to try for Axminster. Although it's some 5 or 6 miles further away than Beer village, it's much easier to get to as the bus stop is at the top of my short road, whereas the Beer bus starts and ends at the sea front, which means a long walk uphill to my home on the way back, which is quite difficult to do now. Poor old lady, lol!

Anyway, I'll do my best. I had a birthday last week and went out with my camera taking a decent amount of photos for new articles, which was wonderful. As for Beer, I'll get the second article of Fore Street finished and if I manage to get there again I'll add the photos to the third part. There are also several other articles started so there's plenty to be getting on with.

Cheers everyone. :)

 

Useful Books: Railway History

 

As always, these are books that I've personally found very useful and also enjoyable to read. I've only got five books for this category; three which are useful sources for local branch lines here in East Devon and the other two  general railway history ones. 

Unfortunately I chose the wrong day to photograph these as the sun was in and out intermittently. I could have waited for a better day but the weather can't be guaranteed and I also tend to be somewhat impatient once I set my mind to something! Apologies for them being so bad. When I've got a moment I might replace them for better ones.

Main Line To The West

The Southern Railway Route between Basingstoke & Exeter - Part Three

Yeovil to Exeter by John Nicholas and George Reeve

Irwell Press Limited 2019. ISBN: 978-1-906919-03-0

This first one is rather large, extremely heavy and chocfull of the most amazing information. It also has a very long title! I haven't read it all - just the parts concerning my nearest local branch lines and stations along this route as well as dipping into interesting bits of research.

Incredibly useful, it contains so much information all in one place together with many photos, illustrations, maps and diagrams showing the line formation along each station as well as the buildings and where they're situated.  

THE BRANCH LINES Of DEVON

Exeter, South, Central & East Devon by Colin G Maggs

Amberley Publishing 2011. ISBN: 978-1-84868-350-1

A much thinner book but with particular emphasis on the specific branch lines in these areas. This is Part One. Part Two covers Plymouth, West and North Devon, which I don't have. Checking it out I see that Mr Maggs has covered a lot of counties in other branch lines books, so it's something to look out for if anyone wants info for their own area.

The branch lines covered in my East Devon area are Axminster to Lyme Regis in Dorset, Seaton Junction to Seaton, Sidmouth, Exmouth, Exeter and the others in Central and South Devon. There are stacks of B&W photos from when they were in operation, which is lovely to see, as well as all the information.

Three of them have been preserved and repurposed, including our Seaton to Colyton line, which is now a working tramway.

It's particularly interesting to see how the ones I've explored looked back then. Below can be seen a photo of Cannington Viaduct when it was being built in 1902 and I'm so chuffed I managed to walk along it when disused and overgrown. The blog article can be seen here.

The Sidmouth, Seaton & Lyme Regis Branches by Colin Maggs & Peter Paye

The Oakwood Press 1977. No ISBN in this book.

Also by Colin Maggs along with Peter Paye, this contains a lot of written information, including interesting and useful snippets about local history and landmarks. It's a decent small quarto size and light for carrying in a map pocket or backpack.

The central pages contain black and white photos. I was particularly delighted with the top right one seen below. A picture of Axminster railway station, the chimney stacks shown here are huge, tall things. However, they were pared down to the smaller base later on. The article about the station can be seen here. 

Apart from that there are the branch line maps, as seen below.

Victorian Railway Stations by Trevor Yorke

Countryside Books 2021. ISBN: 978-1-84674-335-1

This is fabulous for anyone who's interested in the architecture of stations built during Victorian times, many of which are still in situ, and with loads of photos, illustrations and diagrams throughout.

The first chapter deals with the history and style, followed by chapters concentrating on separate timelines, from the 1820s up to 1890s and 1900s, and culminating in stations of the 20th century, preserved heritage railways and Victorian stations to visit.

As well as the history there is also emphasis on the architecture and details, which is just my thing! About the author, Trevor Yorke has written dozens of books about buildings and other edifices throughout Britain. I now have 23 of his books and have read all but two. I'd thought about doing a write-up about the ones I have but it would be far too long! I might do something though as I can't praise his books too much.

Britain's Railway Architecture & Heritage by Trevor Yorke

Countryside Books 2013. ISBN: 978-1-84674-309-2

Similar to the previous book, and by the same author, this also encompasses the history of the railway and those buildings built since its conception.

It also includes some great chapters on bridges, viaducts and tunnels, with section drawings of how they were built. Many photos and illustrations are also liberally sprinkled throughout.

Other sections include hotels, which were built specifically for rail travellers, seen above, and the interesting and oftentimes lovely embellishments and small details, seen below.

Again, apologies for the photos. The little digi point and shoot camera I use for this is self focussing but it doesn't always work. I may have been too close but I also couldn't see very well with the constant shifting of the light, plus I'm also partially sighted now - which isn't very good for a photographer!

Well that's all for this one. I have lots more categories for the Useful Books section, which will be coming throughout 2026.

And finally, I'd like to wish a happy New Year / Hogmanay to everyone who celebrates it and all the very best wishes to you all. :)

Phew, just about managed to finish that while it's still New years Eve, lol. The fireworks have started already. Time to get the sherry out! ;)